From the monthly archives: February 2010
British Airways provides Comic Relief support
On February 10, 2010
British Airways has signed up Comic Relief as its new global charity partner in a move that will strengthen it’s support for disadvantaged people and communities around the world.
Lenny Henry, Comedian and trustee of Comic Relief said: “We are delighted to have British Airways on board as our new partner and hope to have lots of fun raising heaps of cash!
“Together we hope to bring lasting change to the lives of some of the poorest and most vulnerable people here in the UK and across the world.”
The new partnership will raise money to help people in acute need, both at home in the UK and across the World’s poorest countries.
Willie Walsh, British Airways’ chief executive, said: “I’m proud to announce our new partnership with Comic Relief, which will expand and develop British Airways’ role in helping some of the world’s most vulnerable people.
“Comic Relief is a charity, which I believe will inspire all our people on the ground and in the air.”
Kevin Cahill, chief executive of Comic Relief said: “We’re delighted to have been chosen as a long term partner of British Airways, which offers us the chance to reach out to staff and customers worldwide, all year round.”
Body-scanning equipment introduced
On February 1, 2010
Body-scanning equipment has been introduced at Heathrow’s Terminal 4 as part of a UK Government move to further strengthen security at airports.
The technology will better enable the detection of concealed items while allowing passengers to remain fully clothed. The introduction of this technology is mandated by the Department for Transport.
Ian Hutcheson, BAA Security Director said: “The security and safety of our passengers and staff is BAA’s first priority. The introduction of full-body scanners and other technology is one significant step towards a more robust defence against the changing and unpredictable threat posed by terrorists.
“However it is important that, as a country, we make better use of the intelligence available to industry and Government and continue to promote the close assessment of passengers’ behaviour. Only by doing so will we build a robust security system that is dynamic enough to respond quickly and effectively to the emerging threat.”
Passengers may be required to undergo the additional screening, having passed through the standard security search process. The Department for Transport requires that all passengers selected for screening must do so and images of passengers are destroyed after being viewed by specially-trained security officers based elsewhere in the airport. The process takes around seven seconds.
BAA undertook the first ever trial of body-scanning technology in 1991. A second trial took place at Heathrow from April 2004 until June 2008.
‘Pearlies’ in tourism promotion
On February 1, 2010
Passengers arriving at Heathrow’s Terminal 1 were given a proper London welcome today as a group of Pearly Kings and Queens gathered at the airport for a traditional cockney knees-up as part of a tourism promotion.
The ‘Pearlies’ greeted passengers with the spoons and a good ol’ rabbit. Even terminal announcements – normally broadcast in the best Queen’s English – were read out in traditional rhyming slang, with passengers being reminded to ‘take care on the apples and pairs’, and that ‘saucepan lids are not permitted to ride on the baggage trolleys.’
Mike Brown, Chief Operating Officer at Heathrow, said: “We are trying to bring some of London’s unique characteristics to Heathrow, to entertain passengers but also to show off some of the city’s history and its culture. The Pearly Kings and Queens are very welcome, and we hope passengers enjoy the knees-up.”
William McCarthy arriving from Auckland said: “I have never seen anything quite like this. What a welcome to the UK!”
Pearly Queen of Islington Phyllis Broadbent said: “We’ve never been to Heathrow before, it’s rather exciting! The Pearlies are a London tradition and this is London’s airport - now people arriving from all over the world have seen us!”
Categories
Heathrow Twitter
Weather
Weather observation for Heathrow at 21:00 BST.
Temperature: 12°C Wind Direction: NNE Wind Speed: 8mph Relative Humidity: 78% Pressure: 1012mb rising Visibility: VG Weather information derived from data from bbc.co.uk.
Tags
accra airbus Air New Zealand Air New Zealand. oscars arrivals bed bedroom bedrooms beds boardingpass boutique British Airways charity comic relief Continental Delta disabled facilities fans food fuel ghana heathrow Heathrow Express hotel inflight new rail Ramada Retail rooms seats shopping singapore airlines Sky Team Sofitel Stanwell steve ridgway t4 terminal 3 terminal 5 trains Transport Virgin Atlantic world cup
Airline chiefs visit Dreamliner
Dreamliner lands at Heathrow
Electric car charging at Heathrow hotel
Heathrow's road to the Olympics
Olympic terminal almost ready
Team GB from indoor championships
Transport Secretary 'tops out' terminal 2 on building milestone
Qatar lounge
British Airways Club World
Snow clearing
British Airways lounge Heathrow T5B
David Haye to Las Vegas
England cricketers to Pakistan test
